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L "VBNDINGMVAGH'ILNR 'Patented Jan. 30, 1894.

(-No Model.)

No. S13- 845.

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EDWARD D. VALENTINE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

VENDING-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 513,845, dated January 30, 1894.

Application led June 8, 1893. Serial No. 476,977. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD D. VALENTINE, of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Vending-Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. l

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines, adapted to deliver therefrom a single small article of merchandise, after a coin representing the value of the article has been deposited within the machine.

The object of this invention is to produce a compact and reliable vending machine, which Will expel a single article therefrom, immediately following the introduction Within the casing of the machine of a coin that represents the value of the vended article, such an expulsion being the result of the action of the introduced coin,A and not requiring a further manipulation to effect the desired delivery of the piece of merchandise.

To this end my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, as is hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a sectional side view of the improved vending machine, taken on the line 1-1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3-3 in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2, showing the coin feeding passage and attachments thereto. Fig. 5a is an enlarged sectional plan view on the line .5a-5 in Fig. 7. Fig. 5" is an enlarged broken sectional View of parts of the package releasing mechanism,

slightly altered to engage with a modified form of packages which are to be delivered from the device. Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial side view, in section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional side view, on the line 6-6 in Fig. 2, showing the working parts in changed adjustment; and Fig. 8 is a sectional plan viewon the line 8-8 in Fig. 6.

The case which contains the working parts of the device, is rectangular in form and of suitable dimensions for its purpose, any available material being used in its construction. The base board A, of the case, projects a short distance forward of the front wall A,the,1at ter being secured at its lower end to the base board, in a vertical position. Preferably, the side Walls A2, rear wall A3, and top wall A4, are attached together at their edges, and the lower rear corner of the combined side and rear walls is pivoted upon the base board, as at d,in Fig. 1 ,thus permitting the parts to be folded rearwardly, removing the top and sides from the front wall of the case, so as to expose interior mechanism, the structure being held in a closed condition by a latchhook,

that is placed on the top wall and engages a pin or staple on the front Wall of the case; or a locking device may be substituted for the hook. On the inner surface and near the upper edge of the front wall A', two L-shaped bracket arms b, are secured, so as to project their horizontal members rearwardly in the same plane. From the free ends of the arms b, the upper end of a channel frame bar c, is pivotally hung by a cross bolt c', saidbar being secured to a mating bar c2, by the spacing bars c3, that are of an equal length, and retain the channel bars suitably spaced apart with their channels on their inner sides, thereby providing a skeleton frame that hangs pendent, and which may be rocked rearwardly on its pivot support c. At a proper point below the bracket arms b, two similar arms d, are secured upon the front wall A", in the same horizontal plane, one member of each bracket arm projecting toward the frame bar c, and so spaced apart that the latter may be vibrated between the adjacent ends of said bracket arms, as is indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. There is a horizontalshaft d', journaled in the end portions of the bracket arms d, and projecting beyond its supports at each side, said shaft being located a short distance from the channelbar c a star wheel d?, that is secured on the shaft near one .bracket arm, being adapted to receive the lower end of an abutment plate d3, between its radiating teeth that are cam shaped on one edge, the convex edge of each tooth being adapted to impinge upon the plated3, and vibrate the skeleton frame on which said plate is fixed, when the shaft d', is rotated in the direction of a curved arrow 2, in Figs. 6 and 7. At the side of the channel bar c, from which the abutment plate d3, forwardly projects, a detent lever d4, is pivoted, a lateral limb on the front end of the lever being projected across the periphery of the star wheel d2, between two adjacent teeth of the same. The shape of the teeth on the star wheel, causes the limb of the pivoted lever (Z4, to interlock with a radial shoulder on an engaged tooth so as to prevent a rearward vibration of the skeleton frame c, c2, until the shaft d is rotated toward said frame or the lever is lifted by hand. Such a locking engagement is shown in Fig. 5.

A coin feeding channel e', is produced in an upright box e, that projects rearwardly from the front wall A', near to and parallel with the skeleton frame c, c2. The feeding channel e', extends through the front wallA, near its upper edge, as at e2, and thence extends downwardly and rearwardly, cutting through the rear wall of the box e, at its lower end, as at es, the passage thus produced being of a lateral width which will admit the thick ness of a proper coin freely, the periphery of the coin in a like manner engaging the front and rearwalls of the passage, as indicated in Fig. 5. The end portion of the shaft d', that projects toward the box e, has a ratchet toothed check wheel g, secured upon its terminal, said wheel being near to the side of the box e. There is a limited number of teeth formed on the periphery of the check wheel g, which teeth hook rearwardly, and have their sloping edges slightly curved eccentrically to the center of the shaft d. The aperture e3, is guarded by a thin plate spring h, which is secured on the rear side of the box e, so as to project its free lower portion partly over the coin feeding channel e', requiring a limited outward vibration of the spring to allow the escape of a descending coin, that may be a cent piece, as shown in Fig. 5, or a coin of another denomination, if the passage e', is constructed to suit the dimensions of a different piece of money, such a vibration of the spring being produced by the impact of the rapidly descending coin when it is introduced through the slot e2. The guard spring 7L, is provided with a lateral finger 7L', that projects across the periphery of the wheel g, and retains the latter from a rotation in the direction of curved arrows 2, when in its normal position, by an engagement of its upper edge with a tooth of the wheel.

Asuitable weight block z', is provided, which is held to slide loosely in the guide box z" by a cord i2, that has one end fastened to the upper end of the block, and extends upwardly to engage the upper surface of a loosely supported grooved pulley 3, the shaft of which is journaled in the bracket arms b. The cord 2, passes rearwardly over the pulley, and thence downwardly of a suiiicient length, to

permit its lower end to be secured to the shaft d', when the weight block is elevated near to the top of the guide box, which box is located below thel arms b, and is attached to the front wall A', of the case, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Two parallel guard bars b', are projected from the wall A, at a point between the arms b and guide box 11', so as to locate their rear end portions on each side of and near to the pulley 113, and thus prevent a displacement of the cord from the grooved edge of the pulley.

The shaft d', is provided with a milled thumb piece d5, or an equivalent means for the manual rotation of the shaft in the direction of the curved arrow 1, in Fig. 1, which will wrap the cord t3, properly on the shaft named, and elevate the weight block i; to effect which movement it is necessary that the detent lever d4, be vibrated so as to release it from the star wheel d2, and permit the shaft and wheels d2, g, to be rotated after the skeleton frame c, c2, has been swung rearwardly.

On the forward side of the channel bar c, an elongated plate spring m, is secured by its upper end portion, the free lower end or toepiece m' of which is bent at a right angle rearwardly, and passes through a slot n, that is transversely produced in the wall of the channel bar c, near its lower terminal. A right angle bent bracket limb o, is secured to the inner surface of the front wall -A at a point which will permit its horizontal member to project toward the channel frame bar c, and pass through a notch in the lower end of said bar a short distance, when the skeleton frame c, c2, is in a vertical position. The limb o, has its horizontal portion longitudi nally slotted from near its free rearward end, to receive the forwardly extending limb p', of a bell crank that has a vertical limbp, and is pivoted at thejunction of said limbs between the ea1'sp2,which project from the frame bar c, as represented in Fig. 8. The platespring m, is so bent, that it normally projects away from the frame bar c, at its lower end, and presses the limb 79, of the bell crank toward the front wall A of the case, throwing the other limb p down into the slot of the bracket piece o, so that it rests on a cross bar p3, therein, as shown in Fig. 6, which adjustment of parts serves to remove the toe piece m', from the slot n, while the rear end of the limb o, is inserted through the notched lower end of the frame bar c, and a short distance beyond its rearward surface. The frame bar c2, is furnished with a rigidly secured piece r, that projects toward the other frame bar, so as to provide a ledge at its lower end in the same horizontal plane with the slotted portion of the bracket limb o.

Below the pendent skeleton frame c, c2, a delivery chute s, is secured on the bottom wall of the case, a proper forward and downward inclination being given thereto for the assured delivery of a vendible article from the chute through an escape orifice u, that is formed opposite the lower end of the chute IOO in the front wall of the case, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The vendible merchandise packagesfu that are placed in the improved machine for consecutive delivery therefrom, have a substantially rectangular form given to them, all be' ing of the same dimensions, that are proportioned `to the capacity of the machine, it being necessary that the packages have such a length and width, as will allow them to loosely slide down in the space between the channel frame bars c, c2, and be deposited in a vertical tier, the lowermost package resting on the ledge r, and end portion of the bracket limb o,the parts being then adjusted as shown in Figs. l and 6.

The packages which are to be delivered from the machine, may have their ends sloped as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, or the ends of the packages may be recessed as indicated in Fig. 5b, and in case their ends are given a wedge form, the longer sides of said packages are placed below when a number are arranged in a vertical tier in the skeleton frame.V

The weight block fi, being elevated and a sufficient number of the packages u, placed in the pendent skeleton frame c, c2, which may be completely filled if desired, the successive delivery of said packages is effected in the following manner Assuming that the value of each package is one cent a coin of that denomination is inserted in the vertical slot e2, through the case wall A', vwhich will precipitate said coin edgewise against the spring h, that will be forced outwardly a sufflcient degree to discharge the cent piece, and at the same time carry the finger h', away from the tooth of the check wheel g, so that the latter may be rotatively moved a portion of a revolution that is determined by the space, between each pair of teeth on said wheel, the spring returning in time to engage the next tooth that has` been moved toward the upper edge of the finger. The rotatable movement of the shaft d', in the direction of arrow 2, that has been eiected by the gravity of the weight block c', and its partial descent, will cause a tooth on the star wheel d2, to press against the edge of the abutment plate d3, and rock the skeleton frame c, c2, rearwardly, a degree equal to the length of the tooth, this being permitted, as the direction of movement of the shaft causes the cam sloped edge of a tooth to elevate the lateral limb of the det'ent lever d4, so as to release the frame.V When the skeleton frame c, c2, is swung rearwardly as explained, the bell crank limb p', will be drawn over the cross bar it rests upon, which will rock the limb p, toward the lower end of the plate spring m, so as to push its toe piece fm', through the slot n, and below the package QJ, that is the next one of the series from the bottom package, which latter is simultaneously released, as the vibration of the frame removes said package at its forward end from the supporting end of the limb 0, and permits it to fall by its gravity and slide out through the chute= s,

upon the projecting portion of the bottom wall of the case. It will be seen that the coaction of the plate spring fm, with the free end of the limb o, provides a temporary support for the series of packages that are above the toe piece m', of said spring, which latter is permitted to freely engage with the lower surface of the second package QJ, by reason of the sloped end on the first one affording space for an introduction of the toe. When the re-engagement of the check wheel g, with the finger h of the spring h, is effected, as before mentioned, the teeth of the star wheel d2, will be correspondingly moved, so that the lower end of the abutment plate d3, may again enter a space between two teeth on the star wheel and interlock with a shoulder on the rearwardly projecting tooth. This adjustment of parts will allow the skeleton frame c, c2, to assume a vertical position, and return the end of the limb o below the packages fu, w-hich will descend at their forward ends to lie horizontally, as the forward swinging movement of the frame will rock the bell crank limb p, so that it will disengage the spring m, that by its tension will withdraw its toe m', and permit the parts of the device to resume the relative positions they occupied before the insertion of the coin within the slot e2, of the machine. If the packages are recessed on the ends as indicated in Fig. 5b, the toe piece m', must be so located on the spring m, that it will penetrate the hole n which has been formed in the frame bar c, at such a point that the toe will slide below the top wall of the recessed end on the second package from the limb o, which will adapt the spring m, to sustain said package, temporarily.

It is evident that for the purpose of vending different articles of merchandise from the machine, the mechanism that is required to deliver separate packages from one supporting frame, may be multiplied in number, each having its coin feeding slot and passage, whereby moderately sized packages of any vendible article may be furnished automatically to a purchaser who deposits a proper coin in an appropriate slot, the delivery of the goods following the insertion of the coin, without any further manipulation being required.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a vending machine, the combination with a case having an upright coin passage, and a flat spring adapted to receive the impinge of a coin descending said passage and vibratable thereby, of a swinging frame containing goods to be vended, and a package discharging mechanism arrested-by said spring, and released by the impinge of a coin of the spring, substantially as described.

2. In a vending machine, the combination with a case having a coin passage, and a guard- IIO spring for said passage, vibratable by a coin of a pendent swinging frame containing the goods to be delivered within the case, and a package-discharge mechanism controlled by a limb of the guard spring, and released by the impact of a coin on said spring, substantially as described.

3. In a vending machine, the combination, With a case having an upright coin passage, and a guard spring for said passage, vibratable by a coin of a pendent swinging frame within the case pressing at its lower end and vibra'table by the impinge of a coin, a device operating to swing the frame when released by the impact of a coin on the guard spring, and a co-acting device dropping a package from the frame when said frame is swung, substantially as described.

et. In a vending machine, the combination, with an upright case having an upright coin passage therein adapted to receive a coin at its upper end and discharge it at is lower end, and a plate spring guarding the discharge opening of the coin passage, of a pendent swinging frame within the case, adapted to contain vendible packages and discharge them at its lower end, and mechanism controlling said discharge, and released by the impact of a descending coin on the guard spring, substantially as described.

5. In a vending machine, the combination with a case, and a pendent swinging frame in the case, a coin feeding passage in said case, adapted to receive a coin at its upper end and discharge it at its lower end, and a guard spring partly covering the discharge aperture of said feed passage and having a lateral finger, of a device restrained by the finger of the guard spring, and which when free vibrates the frame and discharges a package therefrom, and a co-acting device which prevents the discharge of but a single package, substantially as described.

6. In a vending machine, the combination with an upright case, a coin feeding passage therein, a guard spring for said passage, vibrated by the impact of a falling coin in the passage, and a package discharge aperture at the lower end of the case, of a pendent frame adapted to drop packages when vibrated, a rotatable shaft in the case, a slidable weight block, a flexible connection between the weight block and shaft, wheels on the shaft, controlled by the guard spring of the coin feeding passage in the case, and released to vibrate the frame by the impact of a coin on the spring, and a co-acting device in the base of the case which permits the discharge of but a single package, substantially as described.

7. In a vending machine, the combination with an upright case having a coin feeding passage therein, a guard spring for said passage, vibrated bythe impact of a falling coin in the passage, and a package discharge aperture in the base of the case, of a pendent frame adapted to discharge packages when vibrated, a detent lever therefor, and a mechanism which lifts the lever and vibrates the frame when a coin traverses the passage, substantially as described.

EDWARD D. VALENTINE.

Witnesses:

WM. P. PATTON, C. SEDGWICK. 

